The China Institute of Sport Science and the World Health Organization on Tuesday signed a letter of intent aimed at strengthening cooperation in promoting physical activity, advancing sports health services and supporting global health initiatives.

The agreement was signed during a visit by WHO Representative to China, Martin Taylor, and his delegation to the Sports Science Institute in Beijing.

Prior to the signing ceremony, the two sides held discussions on topics including physical activity promotion, exercise-based health services, scientific fitness guidance and international cooperation in sports and health.

Participants explored how sport and exercise can play a greater role in improving public health and preventing illness, while helping build a more open and effective platform for international collaboration.

Taylor expressed strong interest in China's efforts to promote nationwide fitness and improve public health, praising the institute's work in advancing physical activity as a key component of healthy living.

Witnessed by representatives from both organizations, the two sides formally signed the letter of intent, laying the groundwork for closer cooperation in a range of areas, including physical activity promotion, sports and health research, healthy lifestyle advocacy, community-based physical activity and health services, and international academic exchanges.

The partnership aims to explore new and innovative approaches to leverage sport and physical activity to improve health outcomes and contribute to higher levels of public well-being.

Following the signing ceremony, Taylor delivered a keynote presentation titled “Making Active Living Part of Everyday Life for Everyone”. Drawing on a global public health perspective, he outlined WHO's strategies, policy frameworks and practical experiences in promoting physical activity and shared international best practices for integrating exercise into daily life.

He emphasized that regular physical activity is one of the most effective ways to improve health, prevent noncommunicable diseases and enhance quality of life.

Creating a more active society, he said, requires a coordinated effort from governments, professional institutions, communities and the public.

The signing of the letter of intent marks a new stage of cooperation between the two organizations and is expected to further strengthen knowledge sharing, resource coordination and collaborative research.

Looking ahead, both sides said they will leverage their respective strengths to advance innovation in the promotion of physical activity and sports health services, contributing to the goals of the Healthy China initiative and broader global health development.

The institute also plans to make use of WHO's international cooperation platform to share China's experiences and innovations in nationwide fitness, scientific exercise guidance and health promotion, while contributing Chinese expertise and solutions to global health governance.